UPDATE: Braves have agreed to 5 year about 75 million deal with B.J Upton

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UPDATE: Braves have agreed to 5 year about 75 million deal with B.J Upton

Upton is looking to make a decision this week, with both the Braves (who brought in former manager Bobby Cox to impress during his visit) and Phillies considering him their top choice.

Figured this was worth its own thread, since Upton isn't just another offseason rumor at this point. All depends on price, of course, but I'm on the record as thinking his upside is worth ponying up for in this winter's free-agent class. I also think his floor is higher than people give him credit for; there's nothing wrong with a .750-ish OPS center fielder who plays great defense and swipes 30 bags a year.

Regardless of what happens, it will be nice to have this domino fall early in the winter, so the Braves can go into the rest of the offseason knowing whether or not they could land their top free-agent target.

I know people are concerned about his BA, but I think the new hitting coaches will help bump that. Also people saying his D isn't on bourn's level I beg to differ while bourn might have a step on him in range BJs arm is a step better than bourn's so you get close to the same defender. His power will be nice and who knows how many bases he can swipe with the green light. Or will heyward be the new green light guy.

I'm starting to lighten up to the idea of Upton. I think I'd rather sign him than trade for Span now, after going through our prospect list and seeing how thinned out it's gotten. I'd like to sign him for something like 4/50 or 5/60, and sign Swisher for something similar to what we signed Upton for. I don't think that will be able to come true, though.

I know people are concerned about his BA, but I think the new hitting coaches will help bump that. Also people saying his D isn't on bourn's level I beg to differ while bourn might have a step on him in range BJs arm is a step better than bourn's so you get close to the same defender. His power will be nice and who knows how many bases he can swipe with the green light. Or will heyward be the new green light guy.

Upton has always recieved good reviews on his D, but Bourn is ahead of him and hy a good margin. Having a good Range in CF is much more important than having a good arm.